Best Activities To Do This Weekend In O.C. - November 4
Now that the dust has settled from the insanity of costume parties and Halloween decorations, it's about time to get to the business of socializing and enjoying some fantastic fall weather. The temperatures are starting to dip and while the rest of the country braces for some bitter cold, Southern California just needs a hoodie to still enjoy a rejuvenating weekend out on the town. There is always a wealth of options for how best to spend your days away the business of the week.
Morriseey
Bren Events Center
100 Mesa Rd.
Irvine, CA 92697
(949) 824-5050
www.facebook.com
One of the most polarizing personalities in rock music is set to take on the Bren Center of UC Irvine this weekend. The initial announcement of the first of two Southern California dates happened a few months ago and instantly prompted the addition of a second date. After a much publicized appearance at RiotFest in Chicago, Morrissey seems to be showing no signs of slowing despite rumors just months ago that his live performance days could be numbered. Returning home from an international run that included shows in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and most recently Australia, the fanaticism that is associated with Morrissey is always ratcheted up when Southern California is in play. This is going to be a hard ticket to score, but should you get so lucky, expect to see a few wardrobe changes, a few folks rushing the stage, and thousands of devoted fans singing every word in tandem with one of rock music's most prolific wordsmiths.
Visit The Orange County Zoo
Irvine Regional Pk,
1 Irvine Park Rd
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 973-6847
www.ocparks.com/zoo/
The relatively small 8-acre footprint within the Irvine park confines makes the Orange County Zoo more charming then cramped. With an emphasis on the animals native to the Southwestern United States, guests can get up close and personal with bald eagles, mountain lions, porcupines and black bears to name a few. Offering self-guided audio tours, guests can learn about all the animals housed at this zoo at their own pace while listening to informative tidbits on their smartphone. In addition to the native animals, the barnyard variety is also represented as guests can hit the petting zoo to feed goats and pot-bellied pigs. With admission typically running all of $2 bucks with a small parking fee, this is a great family-friendly option for those on a tight budget.
BlizzCon
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92802
www.blizzcon.com
It's hard to imagine developing a convention for just one gaming company, but for the last 10 years, Blizzard Entertainment has held it's own BlizzCon to support the community that is passionate about video game staples like Diablo, StarCraft, Warcraft, and Heroes of the Storm. The annual three-day event includes sneak peeks at what is to come in addition to signings, panel discussions, and even grand scale concerts that have included the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Foo Fighters, and Metallica. For the 25th anniversary of the company's gaming dominance, the convention will culminate with a performance by none other than Weird Al Yankovic. With an estimated attendance surpassing the 25,000 mark, BlizzCon is a must for those that are serious about their gaming.
Russell Peters
Irvine Improv
Irvine Spectrum Center
527 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
www.russellpeters.com
A multiple award winning and record-breaking comedian, Russell Peters will be spending the weekend delivering punchlines at the Irvine Improv. A veteran of the standup stage, Peters is currently riding high on the momentum of his latest Netflix special, Almost Famous. Keen with quick wit and the ability to turn the ins and outs of life into a comedic fodder, Peters runs a fine line between offensive and sharp observation in a way that is just plain funny. Dabbling in topics that range from ethnicity to sex, Peters appeals to the comedy fan that is a bit more discerning than the typical expletive riddled rants. As a New York Times bestseller and an accomplished satirist, a Russell Peters set will challenge you to think while simultaneously splitting your sides.
Geek Meet
The Slidebar
122 E. Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 871-2233
www.clubcosplay.net
Merging the sub-communities that love cosplay, comics, collecting, and all things pop culture, the folks at Club Cosplay continue to host events that give geeks a proper outlet for connecting with likeminded people for a party. Part nightclub, part vendor village, part game night, Geek Meet is the monthly gathering that brings together each of these very niche communities under the same roof. As the DJ (in costume of course) plays energetic pop hits, fans in attendance can place Cards Against Humanity or run a game of Halo while grabbing a few cocktails and mingling with other geeks. A fantastic collision of creativity without the pretentiousness of typical nightlife environments, each Geek Meet is the kind of party where everyone is invited.
